Davidson students working '9 to 5' this weekend

Enlarge ImageBuy This Photo(From left) Mary Curtis, Abbey Bumbledare and Emily Dunaj rehearse a scene for Hilliard Davidson High School's April 11-13 production of the musical '9 to 5.'

Hilliard Davidson High School drama students will present the musical 9 to 5 April 11-13 at the school's performing arts center, 5100 Davidson Road.

The musical was adapted from the 1980 feature film starring Dolly Parton as Doralee.

"It's a great show and (rehearsals) have been a lot of fun," said director Trace Crawford. "I think the show is a great match for our kids, too."

While the song 9 to 5, composed and performed by Parton, was a No.1 record during the movie's run in theaters, the remainder of the songs in the musical will not be known to viewers, even those familiar with the film, Crawford said.

"I'm impressed with how well the (new) songs fit into the scenes for which they were written," Crawford said. "They really do express (the emotion) of the characters in those scenes."

More than 100 students are involved in the cast, crew and orchestra. About 65 are cast members.

Senior Jonathan Wegener is cast as antagonist Franklin Hart, the arrogant and overbearing boss. His employees, Doralee, Violet and Judy, will be played by Carlie Meyers, Abbey Bumbledare and Mary Curtis, respectively.

Wegener said he auditioned for the lead role after learning of the expanded number of musical numbers in the adapted screenplay.

"I didn't want to leave high school without the experience of doing a musical," said Wegener, who is a member of the Madrigals and the leader of the Boys in Blue, a select group of all-male vocalists.

Wegener first acted in the eighth grade as the Sheriff of Nottingham in a production of Robin Hood, but since arriving at Davidson, he had focused on being a vocalist.

"Once I decided to audition, I chose to go for it all and tried out (for the lead)," Wegener said.

After landing the role, he said, he watched the feature film for the first time.

"Watching it has helped me figure out how the other characters view him and that helps me get into his character," said Wegener, who describes Hart as "kind of a scumbag."

Meyers, a senior, was introduced to theater at a band camp in the fourth grade while living in Oklahoma.

"When I learned we were doing 9 to 5, I got the cast recording (of the musical) as I wasn't familiar with Dolly Parton's work," said Meyers, who also viewed the film after receiving the role.

"Doralee is just a girl trying to fit in, but she owns who she is and I love that about her character," Meyers said.

9 to 5 will be presented at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 11, and 12, and as a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13.

All tickets for April 11 and 12 are reserved seating, and will be $10 at the door or in advance by calling 614-931-7200; all tickets for April 13 are general admission for $5 at the door or in advance at showtix4u.com.